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Important! Please Read This Notice!All information provided in these articles is based either on personal experience or information provided by others whose treatments and practices have been discussed fully with a vet for accuracy and effectiveness before passing them on to readers.
In all cases, it is your responsibility to obtain veterinary services and advice before using any of the information provided in these articles. We are not veterinarians. Neither Goat-Link.com nor any of the contributors to this website will be held responsible for the use of any information contained herein.PLEASE keep in mind, just because there is a DVM after the name does not mean they have the proper answers for goat owners 'Caveat emptor'- You need to find a responsible GOAT Vet

Some of the Most Common Signs of a Sick Goat are:

1. Teeth Grinding or Teeth Gritting- this is a sign of pain and possibly the first sign you will see in a goat who is sick.

2. Weight loss in a normally well conditioned goat- Older goats are many times thinner than a younger goat so you must know who is older and who should be well muscled.

3. Goats who separate themselves from the main herd, who are not eating, standing with head and tail down, are the most common first signs of a suspected sick goat- Goats normally Only separate themselves for kidding or if they are sick or injured.

2. Weight loss in a normally well conditioned goat- Older goats are many times thinner than a younger goat so you must know who is older and who should be well muscled.

4. Signs of scouring (diarrhea) on rear of goat. Could be worms, coccidia, pneumonia or a variety of other diseases.

5. Cloudy, runny or closed eyes on a goat - could be signs of pink eye or worms as a severely wormy goat will have a purulent discharge from the eyes.

6. Stargazing - a goat who holds it's head up as if looking at the stars could be a sign of Listeriosis or Goat Polio.

7. Drunken Gait- a goat who seems as though it is walking drunk could very well be signs of Goat Polio- Thiamine is the treatment for this.

8. Stiff Sawhorse appearance could be signs of tetanus Look for puncture wounds or in kids who have been disbudded or castrated recently- Always a good idea to prevent this with an injection of Tetanus Anti toxin at the time of disbudding or castration- this gives a 7-10 day added protection. Also when a goat has had an injury.

9. Dull scruffy coat is a sign of worms, lice OR copper deficiency.

10. Runny Noses could be a sign of pneumonia- summer pneumonia is very common

11. Not peeing could be a symptom of Urinary Calculi in bucks and wethers, or a sign of urinary infection in does. Not pooping is indicative of digestive upset as is scouring caused by a myriad of reasons- but pay attention to the elimination process of all of your goats in particular those who you feel are not well.

What is Normal for a Goat?

Basic physiological norms for goats:

Rectal temperature is in the range 101.5 to 103.5 degrees F

Pulse rate is in the range 70 -80 beats per minute

Respiration Adult Goats- 10-30 per minute

Respiration Kid Goats 20-40 per minute

Rumen Movement 1 – 1.5 per minute

Estrus (length of heat cycle)–12 to 36 hours

Heat Cycles– 20 to 23 days

Breeding Season –July to February

Gestation period is in the range 145 to 160 days ( typically 150)

Puberty (depends heavily on breed) but can be as early as just 2 months for pygmy bucks, later for other breeds. 2 mos to 18mos (depending on breed)

Rumen development for kids - fully developed rumen functions at 1 yr of age.